Gameday Thread, #142: 9/4 vs. Red Sox

Today’s Lineups

RED SOX	DIAMONDBACKS
Jarren Duran – LF	Ketel Marte – 2B
Alex Bregman – 3B	Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Trevor Story – SS	Corbin Carroll – RF
Romy Gonzalez – 2B	Gabriel Moreno – C
Rob Refsnyder – DH	Blaze Alexander – CF
Nathaniel Lowe – 1B	Ildemaro Vargas – DH
Nate Eaton – RF	Jordan Lawlar – 3B
Ceddanne Rafaela – CF	Tyler Locklear – 1B
Carlos Narvaez – C	Jorge Barrosa – LF
Payton Tolle – LHP	E. Rodriguez – LHP

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.

• Claimed off waivers from Orioles and optioned to Triple-A Reno: RHP Elvin Rodríguez
• Transferred to the 60-day injured list: INF Pavin Smith (strained left quad)

Well, that was unexpected. It’s the second waiver-wire pickup of a pitcher the team has done in the past month. They snatched RHP Gus Varland off waivers from Chicago White Sox on August 11th. The problem is, the team is going to need a slew of spots immediately the season ends, because the 60-day IL goes away. That’s now nine players the team has there, though it’s nice that it isn’t a pitcher for once

– Smith is the only position player. We’ll see whether E-Rod v2.0 and Vus Garland survive the cull in a month’s time. Though am I the only person who wants to check our new pitcher’s ears, and see if they are as pointy as his name would suggest?

However, there’s bad news regarding another one of our young pitchers. Remember Andrew Hoffmann? Received from Kansas City for Randal Grichuk? There was a bit of mystery over his absence from games, and Jack eventually found out that he was being rested due to a heavy workload. Chris Slivka, player development directors said Hoffman was not hurt. Welp. About that… Alex Weiner reports Hoffmann “exited Triple-A game yesterday with posterior elbow discomfort, heads back [to Arizona] for imaging” Pardon my cynicism, but I believe the next steps usually involve a second opinion, then Tommy John surgery.

Speaking of surgery, Lovullo discussed Lourdes Gurriel’s injury, confirming it was a torn ACL, with surgery required. and giving a projected rehab of 10-11 months. That would seem to put his return at no earlier than the All-Star break next year. It’s only September, and the D-backs are already guaranteed to have a serious chunk of change on the Injured List for Opening Day next year. Corbin Burnes ($31.7 million). Gurriel ($13 million). Justin Martinez ($2.4 million). Add arbitration rises for A.J. Puk and Kevin Ginkel – presuming they are not non-tendered – and you’re looking comfortably north of $50 million.